- Devotees bid farewell to elephant-headed God
Bhopal: Processions for the immersion of Lord Ganesh idols began in Bhopal and other parts of the state on Tuesday amid tight security and fanfare as the 10-day festival drew to a close.
The ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ festival, which began on September 7, is concluding with ‘Anant Chaturdashi’ on Tuesday. Devotees from various parts of the city gathered at immersion sites, including the prominent Khatlapura Ghat, to bid farewell to the elephant-headed God amidst beating of drums, dancing, and chanting. The celebration marked the end of a spiritually significant period for many who had installed Ganesh idols in pandals and homes, observing rituals and prayers throughout the festival.
The immersion processions began from different parts of the city, with elaborately decorated Ganesh pandals making their way to different ghats in the city. Khatlapura Ghat, one of the most popular immersion sites, saw a large influx of devotees who came to immerse the idols of Lord Ganesh in the waters, praying for the deity’s return next year. The atmosphere was filled with devotion and joy as the sound of drums and cymbals echoed across the ghats.
Processions from different parts of Bhopal converged at the ghats, creating a spectacle of colorful festivities. The idols were carried in trucks and tractors, adorned with flowers, while devotees walked alongside, chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya”. Several families, who had hosted the deity at home, also took part in the immersion ceremonies, performing final prayers before submerging the idols.
Security and traffic management
Given the large-scale celebrations, the local administration had put extensive security and traffic arrangements in place to ensure the safety of the participants and to maintain smooth movement. Around Khatlapura Ghat and other major immersion points, police personnel were deployed to manage crowds and prevent any untoward incidents. The Bhopal Municipal Corporation had made elaborate arrangements to avoid any untoward incident and divers were deployed at major immersion sites.
Special traffic routes were assigned for the processions to avoid congestion, and diversions were in place in key areas to manage the influx of devotees.
Authorities also took measures to ensure environmental safety during the immersion process. Eco-friendly guidelines were issued earlier in the festival, encouraging the use of clay idols instead of plaster of Paris, which is harmful to water bodies. The city’s municipal body set up artificial ponds at some ghats for the immersion of smaller idols, promoting eco-conscious celebrations.
